Bokchito Fire, 1902

As you may recall Caddo had a major fire in 1900.

The Caddo Herald

March 7, 1902

Fire at Bokchito

Yesterday morning about 3 o’clock fire broke out in a small house at Bokchito, said to be used for gaming purposes, and rapidly spread until all the west side of the street was burned. The house was located just north of the store occupied by C. W. Edens, who has general merchandise, the post office and the Durant Telephone long distance phone. This house was burned then the fire went south, burned the drug store of F. A. McAleer, the grocery of Thompson Bros. and M. J. Kelley, and several smaller wooden buildings on that side of the street. The store of J. H. Bugg was saved and fire was prevented from going to the east side of the street by a strong east wind.

It is hard to estimate the loss, but in guessing at it one would say about $5,000; we learn there was some insurance, but could not know how much. These buildings have mostly been there a long time. The store of C. W. Edens was comparatively new. As yet we cannot learn whether the buildings will be replaced or not. Bokchito has always been a thriving little place and we are sorry to learn of this fire. However, it may eventually be a good thing for the town as the buildings can be replaced by more substantial structures.

March 14, 1902

Bokchito Items

Our little town had quite a calamity befall it last week. On Wednesday night six business places burned down. Nearly all the goods in them were lost. The place where it originated made the seventh place which burned. It was not a business place, yet it is said there was quite a business being done in it. In fact, money, stock, watches, etc. changed hands.

C. W. Eden’s Dry Goods store was the first store to get on fire. They saved a few things, loss about $2,000, besides his house. $1,500 insurance

The Keene buildings were a total loss, no insurance, one occupied by a pool table, Mr. Kelley occupied the other. He lost half of his stock of goods with no insurance, loss about $200; barber shop saved all but stove and razors. Loss about $12, no insurance.

Next F. A. McAleer’s Drug Store with over $2,000 worth of goods and $200 worth of fixtures, which was partly saved; insurance $1,100. You see his losses are very heavy, the heaviest of anyone. He is a young man and energetic business man and will do well anywhere. We hope he will be able to start up in business again soon as we need him badly.

Next comes Thornton Bros. lately moved from Blue here, but their loss on the goods was not much, their house was covered with insurance.

This burn out has reduced the business part to half as many stores now. We hope these people will treat the customers, especially the new ones, with due respect as to prices, so our community will not feel at a loss to find a place to trade at. Our trade is and has been extra good for this time of the year. When we speak of the merchants treating customers right with good prices, we mean no reflection as our merchants are all good genial men.